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Wednesday, February 18, 2026
TopicSpace exploration

Topic: Space exploration

Essential sugars, ‘Gum’ & stardust—what new NASA study reveals about life’s cosmic origins

Researchers say this ancient “space gum,” once soft and flexible but now hardened, may have provided some of the chemical precursors needed for life to emerge on Earth.

‘Mars’ in Ladakh—2 scientists enter space bubble to test human endurance for interplanetary missions

Aerospace engineer Rahul Mogalapalli and astrobiologist Yaman Akot's 10-day mission at HOPE station marks a significant step towards India’s human space exploration ambitions.

Axiom-4 to set stage for a new chapter in space exploration—the first-ever commercial space station

Current International Space Station, a collaborative effort by 14 countries, is due to be decommissioned by 2030. The first module for the new ‘commercial station’ is planned to be sent by 2027.

A satellite bus, new green space propulsion system & tech collabs unveiled at Bengaluru Space Expo

Manastu Space’s green space propulsion tech will be tested on Dhruva Space’s LEAP-3 satellite platform in space, while Bellatrix Aerospace unveiled its 1st-of-a-kind satellite bus.

China’s CAS Space announces ‘space tourism vehicle’ will travel to edge of space by 2028

The company plans to arrange a launch every 100 hours from a newly-built aerospace theme park. Its vehicle will include a tourist cabin and carry 7 passengers per flight.

Karnal to cosmos & beyond—Kalpana Chawla’s journey is still a roadmap for India’s dreamers

On 1 February 2003, Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman to fly to space, was just minutes away from landing on Earth aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. It was already too late.

‘Rapid unscheduled disassembly’: Why SpaceX Starship, world’s biggest rocket, ended maiden flight in flames

The spacecraft was to reach 233 km above Earth, but its first stage failed to separate at an altitude of 39 km. CEO Elon Musk tweets next flight will take place in few months.

Modi govt shouldn’t leave pvt sector to navigate outer space on its own. There is ISRO monopoly

Private sector would be interested in Low Earth Orbit satellites that have greater commercial utility value. But they will need to deal with UN office for outer space whose members are only govts.

50 years of robotic exploration has made Mars a garbage dump

Today, the main concern scientists have about trash on Mars is the risk it poses to current and future missions.

World’s smallest antenna made of DNA can monitor proteins, help crack disease & drugs

ScientiFix, our weekly feature, offers you a summary of the top global science stories of the week, with links to their sources.

On Camera

Imagine if Epstein files named Rahul Gandhi or MK Stalin. What would BJP and TV media do?

The questions are not going to go away. But future generations will know who refused to ask the tough questions and who didn’t.

Venezuela crude returns to India’s oil basket. But only as ‘supplementary’ supply

Indian refiners are testing Venezuelan barrels again as Russian supply sinks, but analysts say volumes will remain limited due to refinery constraints & supply capacity.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.